APE (Amphibische
Pioniererkundgungs Kfz) vehicle was developed by "Rheinmetall-Henkel"
for Bundesver armed forces. It is intended to make water obstacle
recognition, as European battle theatre has a great number of lakes and
rivers.

APE vehicle was first used
during "Blue Danube" Bundesver corps
training which took place on September1978. At the moment APE is the main
engineering reconnaissance vehicle of the Bundesver armed forces.

Vehicle is based on German
armored personnel carrier Tpz-1. The main difference is 4 x 4 wheel
formula instead of 6 x 6 used with armored personnel carrier. It allowed
to considerably decrease vehicles weight and to increase amphibious
features. APE moves on water using tunable blade screws placed rear as
well as Tpz-1. Screws use main engine rotation power threw cardan-joints.
Maximum amphibious speed on water reaches 12 km/h. Vehicle is fitted with
wide-profile high-diameter tyres to increase cross-country abilities.
Tyres are also fitted with adjustable centralized pressure system. Vehicle
is able to manage 1 m width trench, 0.5 m vertical step and 37º slope.

Vehicle is fitted with
special electronic equipment preparing data on water obstacles and shows
it on GPS type electronic maps. It's electronic equipment is able to
measure water obstacles depth and width, stream speed. Furthermore it is
able to designate ground type and shore slopes. Vehicle is fitted with
modern communication devices, Nuclear Biological Chemical protection
system, fire prevention system, and water pumps which allow vehicle to
keep float ability even hit by small caliber projectiles or mines.

As far as APE is intended to
be used in frontline divisions it was fitted with quiet powerful armament
- 20-mm automatic gun. Additional armament consists from smoke grenade
launchers placed from the doth sides of the hull.

Landing compartment is able
to take onboard combat engineers, mines or mine search equipment. From the
beginning of it's serial production the Bundesver armed forces got 120 APE
reconnaissance vehicles.